Cliff Lee's pitching flops take him out of rotation

It took the worst pitching performance in nearly 75 years to make it happen, but Cliff Lee is out of the Indians’ starting pitching rotation.

The 28-year-old left-hander was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, a day after giving up eight runs (seven earned) during a 14-9 loss to Boston. Lee became the first Cleveland pitcher to give up seven runs in three consecutive starts since Wes Ferrell in 1933.

“He understood it,” said Manager Eric Wedge, who spoke to Lee earlier in the day. “He didn’’t like going — who does? — but he understood. Cliff was professional, and he was accountable.”

Lee won 18 games in 2005 and has worked 179 or more innings in each of the last three seasons. The Indians signed him to a three-year, $14-million contract extension last year.

The team believes Lee is fine physically. He appears to have retained the velocity on his fastball, but not the ability to place it where he’d like.

“His competitiveness has always been his strength,” Shapiro said. “Now he needs to use that competitiveness to fuel his making adjustments. We took the option we thought was best to be able to get him back at some point.”

Lee is 5-8 with a 6.38 ERA in 16 starts after missing the first month of the season due to a strained muscle in his rib cage. Missing that first month is the closest anyone has come to an explanation for Lee’s woes.

“He was behind the 8-ball from the start,” catcher Kelly Shoppach said. “He didn’t get to throw at all during spring training, then he tried to play catch-up. It’s hard to try to get healthy during the regular season. That’s my best guess. I can’t give you a straight answer, and I don’t think anybody can.”

Indeed, the answers to most questions about Lee on Friday involved some head-scratching.

“It’s been surprising to see him struggle like that, because he’s a guy who’s usually always in control,” left-hander C.C. Sabathia said.

Right-hander Edward Mujica was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and will give the team an extra arm in the bullpen until next Saturday. Left-hander Aaron Laffey is expected to make his major-league debut that evening at Minnesota.

The Indians also optioned outfielder Ben Francisco to Buffalo, clearing a roster spot for newly acquired Kenny Lofton, and designated Bisons infielder Hector Luna for assignment to make room for Lofton on the 40-man roster. The Indians have 10 days to trade or release Luna or outright him to the minor leagues.

COMING UP The series continues tonight at 7:05. Jake Westbrook (1-6, 6.20) will start against Johan Santana (11-8, 2.94).

WHO’S NEXT? The Indians are still shopping for a relief pitcher, but may be waiting for the price to drop. “What the market is now might not be what it is in three days,” General Manager Mark Shapiro said. “Things tend to change.”

LOOKING GOOD Shapiro said liked what he saw from left-hander Jeremy Sowers in his most recent start for Triple-A Buffalo. “He had more life in his fastball and marked improvement in his other pitches,” Shapiro said. “He’s dramatically better than when he left here.” Sowers was optioned to Buffalo on June 10.

THE FULTZ WATCH Manager Eric Wedge said LHP Aaron Fultz (rib cage) looked very good during his simulated game Friday and will begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment next week. “Compared to his last sim game (July 12), he was night and day,” Wedge said.

ON THE FARM The Indians are hoping for the return of some of their top injured prospects next month. OF Shin-Soo Choo (early August), RHP Brian Slocum (mid-August) and RHP J.D. Martin (late August) all expect to begin playing games next month while attempting to come back from sprained elbow ligaments. LHP David Huff, who suffered a similar elbow injury, may begin pitching in games again during the fall Instructional League.